Chris Cornell and Pearl Jam are two legendary bands that dominated the grunge scene in the 90s. Both bands were pioneers in the grunge movement and had a massive influence on the alternative rock scene. Given their immense popularity, it’s no surprise that there have been rumors that Chris Cornell sang for Pearl Jam. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at whether this is true or not.
The Origins of the Rumor
The rumor that Chris Cornell sang for Pearl Jam stems from 1990, before Pearl Jam was even a band. Members of Mother Love Bone, a Seattle-based band that featured Jeff Ament and Stone Gossard, were deciding on a new vocalist after their original singer, Andrew Wood, passed away from a drug overdose. They reached out to Cornell, who was then the frontman for Soundgarden, to see if he was interested in joining their new band.
Cornell declined the offer, but he did offer to help write some songs and lend his vocals to the tracks they were working on. Together, they recorded a demo tape under the name Temple of the Dog. The demo featured songs like “Hunger Strike” and “Say Hello 2 Heaven,” which would later become hits when the album was released after both Soundgarden and Pearl Jam had achieved massive success.
The Truth About Cornell Singing for Pearl Jam
So, did Chris Cornell sing for Pearl Jam? No, he did not. While Cornell did collaborate with Jeff Ament and Stone Gossard on the Temple of the Dog project, he was never a member of Pearl Jam. In fact, Pearl Jam was formed after Cornell declined their offer to join Mother Love Bone.
But that’s not to say that Cornell didn’t have a connection to Pearl Jam. In the early 90s, Pearl Jam was still trying to find its sound and establish itself as a band. Cornell, who was already a mega-star thanks to Soundgarden, provided guidance and support to his fellow Seattle musicians.
As we mentioned earlier, Cornell performed “Hunger Strike” with Pearl Jam at a 2003 concert in Santa Barbara. This isn’t the only time the two bands have shared the stage, however. Pearl Jam and Soundgarden toured together in 1992, and there were several instances where members of each band would join the other on stage to perform together.
The Legacy of Chris Cornell
While Chris Cornell may not have sung for Pearl Jam, his legacy lives on. Cornell was one of the most talented and versatile singers of his generation, and his powerful vocals and introspective lyrics have inspired countless musicians. He passed away on May 18, 2017, but his music continues to be celebrated by fans around the world.
In addition to his work with Soundgarden and Temple of the Dog, Cornell had a successful solo career. He released several albums, including “Euphoria Morning,” “Carry On,” and “Higher Truth.” He also contributed to numerous soundtracks, including “The Avengers” and “Casino Royale.”
Cornell was also an advocate for various causes, including the environment, human rights, and the homeless. He founded the Chris and Vicky Cornell Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports vulnerable children facing homelessness, poverty, abuse, or neglect.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Chris Cornell did not sing for Pearl Jam. While he did collaborate with members of the band on the Temple of the Dog project, he was never an official member of Pearl Jam. However, Cornell’s influence on the grunge scene, and on music in general, cannot be overstated. His contributions to rock music will continue to inspire and influence musicians for generations to come.
FAQ
Did Eddie Vedder and Chris Cornell sing together?
Yes, Eddie Vedder and Chris Cornell, two of the most iconic voices in rock music, sang together on several occasions. The most notable collaboration between the two happened in 1991 on the song “Hunger Strike,” which was released on the album “Temple of the Dog.” The album was a tribute to Chris Cornell’s former roommate and friend Andrew Wood, who was the lead singer of Mother Love Bone and died of a heroin overdose in 1990.
“Hunger Strike” was written by Cornell and features Vedder on backing vocals. The song became a hit and is still considered one of the most powerful rock ballads of the 90s. The music video for the song shows Cornell and Vedder singing together, their voices complementing each other perfectly.
After the success of “Hunger Strike,” Vedder and Cornell performed together several times, both on stage and in the recording studio. For example, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden, of course, went on to become two of the most successful rock bands to come out of Seattle in the 1990s, and Vedder and Cornell occasionally sang “Hunger Strike” live together in the following decades.
In addition to “Hunger Strike,” Vedder and Cornell also recorded a cover of “The Times They Are a-Changin'” together in 1994, which was featured on the soundtrack of the movie “Bob Dylan: 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration.”
Despite their collaborations, Vedder and Cornell had a complicated relationship that was sometimes strained due to their competitive nature and differing personalities. However, their musical partnership remains one of the most memorable in the history of rock music, and their voices together are still regarded as one of the most powerful combinations in the genre.
Who was the original singer of Pearl Jam?
The original lead singer of Pearl Jam, a Seattle-based rock band formed in 1990, was Eddie Vedder. Vedder was born Edward Louis Severson III on December 23, 1964, in Chicago, Illinois, United States. He joined the band after they had already been formed by the other original members – rhythm guitarist Stone Gossard, bassist Jeff Ament, lead guitarist Mike McCready, and drummer Dave Krusen.
While Vedder was not an original member, he quickly became the face and voice of Pearl Jam, bringing a unique singing style, charisma, and intensity to the band’s music. His impassioned delivery on classic songs like “Alive,” “Jeremy,” “Black,” and “Even Flow” helped cement Pearl Jam’s status as one of the most popular and influential rock bands of the 1990s.
Before joining Pearl Jam, Vedder was a struggling musician who worked odd jobs and performed in several bands without much success. In 1990, he received a demo tape containing instrumental tracks from Gossard and Ament, and was asked to come up with lyrics and vocals for the songs. Vedder recorded the demo and sent it back to the band, impressing them with his talent and energy. He was quickly invited to become a full-time member of Pearl Jam and moved to Seattle to join the band.
Since joining Pearl Jam, Vedder has released several solo albums and collaborated with numerous artists, including members of the Who, REM, and Neil Young. He has also been known for his activism and support of various social causes, including environmentalism, anti-war efforts, and LGBT rights. Despite being with Pearl Jam for over thirty years, Vedder remains one of the most respected and revered rock vocalists of all time.
Why is Chris Cornell’s voice so good?
Chris Cornell was a legendary musician and singer-songwriter known for his exceptional vocal abilities and unique sound. Chris Cornell had an incredibly impressive vocal range of four octaves, which is quite uncommon. It ranged from the low E note on the guitar to the high E note, which gifted him with a distinctive voice. His dynamic range and superior vocal control made him stand out from other musicians, leaving a significant mark in the music industry.
Although Chris is technically a baritone because of his lower range and warmth of tone, he had an outstanding high mix that is well-produced and manages to maintain that warmth. He had the ability to control his voice and sing in various styles, including screaming, falsetto and belting, among others. He could switch from one style to another without straining his voice and always delivered an exceptional performance. Chris had a melodic, soulful, and gritty tone to his voice that had a remarkable power to it, as he could carry out the melody and connect with his audience on a deep level.
Moreover, Chris Cornell had an impressive sense of timing, which added to the richness of his voice. He was known to hold notes a little longer than most musicians, causing an influx of emotions during the performance, which was always well-received by his listeners. His voice had an emotional power and intensity that captivated the audience and made them feel every word he sang.
Chris Cornell’s voice was excellent due to his exceptional vocal range, control, and technique. His capacity to connect with his listeners, hold notes, and switch between styles was incredible. These qualities made Chris a remarkable singer and musician whose talents will always be remembered.
Who sang at Chris Cornell funeral?
The death of Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell in May 2017 sent shock waves through the music industry and fans around the world. Among the mourners were many famous musicians who came together to pay their final respects to the influential rocker. One of the most notable performers at his funeral was Chester Bennington, the lead singer of Linkin Park who was also a close friend of Cornell.
Chester Bennington’s performance of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” at Chris Cornell’s funeral was a deeply moving moment that touched the hearts of many. Bennington’s voice broke as he sang the emotional lyrics, which seemed to capture the overwhelming grief felt by those who knew and loved Cornell. The two singers had been close friends for many years, and Bennington was reportedly devastated by Cornell’s passing.
In his eulogy, Cornell’s longtime friend and Pearl Jam frontman, Eddie Vedder, praised Bennington’s performance, saying it was “beautiful and soulful” and spoke to the powerful bond between the two musicians. Bennington himself later commented on the emotional weight of the moment, saying that he had been honored to be asked to perform and that it had been one of the most difficult things he had ever done.
Chester Bennington’s rendition of “Hallelujah” at Chris Cornell’s funeral was a powerful moment that spoke to the deep emotional connection between the two singers and the impact of Cornell’s music on the wider world. It was a testament to the power of music to bring people together and to heal even in the darkest of moments.
Which band was first Audioslave or Soundgarden?
Soundgarden was formed in Seattle, Washington in 1984 and quickly became one of the pioneers of the grunge movement. They were known for their heavy sound and dark, introspective lyrics, and gained a large following in the Seattle music scene. In 1988, they signed to A&M Records, becoming the first grunge band to sign with a major label.
Audioslave, on the other hand, was not formed until 2001, long after Soundgarden had achieved success. Audioslave was formed by Soundgarden’s former lead singer, Chris Cornell, and three members of Rage Against the Machine – Tom Morello, Tim Commerford, and Brad Wilk. The band’s sound was a departure from both Soundgarden and Rage Against the Machine, blending Cornell’s powerful vocals with the hard rock and funk influences of the other three members.
While Audioslave was successful in its own right, with three chart-topping albums and several hit singles, it would not have existed without Soundgarden. Soundgarden’s influence on the grunge scene paved the way for bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Alice in Chains to achieve mainstream success. Cornell’s experience in Soundgarden likely played a big role in Audioslave’s success, as he was already an established and respected musician with a large fan base.
While Audioslave had its own unique sound and success, it was Soundgarden that came first and paved the way for the grunge movement as a whole. Without Soundgarden, Audioslave may never have existed in the first place.
Did Chris Cornell play drums for Soundgarden?
Chris Cornell, the late frontman of the rock band Soundgarden, was a multi-talented musician who played guitar, piano, and drums in addition to being a singer. When Soundgarden was first formed in Seattle in 1984, Chris initially played the drums while singing lead vocals.
At that time, the band’s lineup consisted of Chris Cornell on vocals and drums, Kim Thayil on guitar, and Hiro Yamamoto on bass guitar. However, shortly after the band released their first EP “Screaming Life” in 1987, they decided to bring in a dedicated drummer to allow Chris to focus solely on his vocals.
In 1986, Soundgarden added Scott Sundquist as their new drummer. He played on the band’s second EP “Fopp” and debut album “Ultramega OK.” After Sundquist left the band in 1987, Soundgarden hired Matt Cameron as their new drummer.
From that point on, Chris Cornell did not play drums for Soundgarden in live performances or on studio recordings. However, he did occasionally play drums in his solo career or other side projects, such as the song “Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart” from his 2015 album “Higher Truth.”
Although Chris Cornell initially played drums for Soundgarden, he did not continue in that role after the band’s early days. Instead, he focused on his powerful vocals, which helped to define Soundgarden’s unique and influential sound.
